Ouch. Mean, very mean. And wrong! And crooked. Besides, I’d already given him a lot of his investment back, and more was likely on its way. That wasn’t the point. “You swindled me while I was struggling. Forgery, theft, fraud.”
Tennille stepped toward me and grabbed me by both hands. Her intent gaze pierced me, imploring. “It was fifty thousand dollars, Danica.”
“I’ve whittled that number down to ten thousand or less over time. I guess we know the dollar amount on the price tag of your integrity.” I dropped her hands and backed way. She reached for them and I swatted at her. “Forget it. I’ll pay you back. Every cent.” When and how would take some time. “Please, don’t set foot in Constant Energy again.”
“Danica!” Tennille’s voice cracked. “I did it for Liam. He means everything to me.”
“Nope.” I turned my back on her and walked away. “Money means everything to you. Not just the business partnership, this friendship is over. You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”
And possibly the police, though I hadn’t decided about that. Mark would help me decide whether or not to press charges. Whoever he was, I already trusted him more than my so-called best friend. No wonder I hadn’t liked her when we were teenagers. I should have trusted my instincts.
“Danica. I’m so sorry.”
“Good. You should be.”
Tears streamed down her face, but Liam was already taking their suitcases out of the car. He murmured complaints along the lines of I’m going to kill Ivan. I bet I never see a penny of that investment. I’ll sue her for it if she doesn’t return it. It’ll be her word against ours.
There was no arguing with Liam ever, but especially not when he was worked up like this. Or reverting in my heart to a place where I could trust Tennille. I got back on my bicycle and coasted down the steep hill, but I couldn’t muster any joy for the thrill.
When I came to a bend in the road, momentum wrenched control of me, and I didn’t make the curve. The wheels skidded on loose gravel and flew out from under me. I toppled, sliding sideways on the asphalt for about ten yards. My yoga pants shredded, and so did the skin beneath them.
Ouch. Road rash covered my whole right flank. Shock kept the pain from setting in immediately, and I was able to stand up—sort of—hobbling and picking up my bike for a second before dropping it again.
The pedal that had taken the underside of the wreck was bent at a wince-worthy angle. Oh, and the handlebars had twisted ninety degrees.
There was no way I could ride it home. And I was in no condition to walk. My leg started to sting like it was making friends with a wasp’s nest. But I had to keep moving. If I plopped down on that inviting patch of grass, I might not get up again.
What to do? Calling the ambulance was over the top.
Calling Mom and Dad would only make them ask questions I didn’t want to answer. Telling them about Tennille’s betrayal and the near loss of Constant Energy would take careful verbiage, which I hadn’t had time to concoct.
I called the only person I could think of who had a truck and could load my bike into the bed.
“Jeremy? Can you help me?”